I'd also like a massage, a facial, and a spa pedicure. Pisco will be getting these things shortly when he goes on his vacation...NOT than I'm jealous, or anything....FEH

A Dark Rotten Mess

It's about the darker doings in the Dio of Pittsburg, amidst the mess of Matt and Standing Limply etc.

Good fun.

I say, go check it out.

I really heart PIsco for this one. HEEE!

Enjoy!

Jessica kindly reminds us why this is so important:

Almost exactly a year ago, we wrote about Ledbetter v. Goodyear, the Supreme Court's decision to limit workers' ability to sue their employers based on gender and other forms of discrimination. This is a big deal because:

* Women are paid only 77 cents for every dollar paid to men.
* African-American women are paid 63 cents for every dollar paid to white men.
* Latinas are paid 52 cents for every dollar paid to white men.

Yesterday I signed a petition here:

Or you could sign here at National Women's Law Center, as Jessica suggests.

Anti-feminist mailbag (the missing 5% edition)

We receive a lot of hate email here at Feministing, and this one was too good not to share.

Men are better than women look at the comparison in IQ men are scientifically proven to have a higher IQ by roughly 5 points, or 5% you cannot dispute science sorry and if you want a much better website than your shitty one you might want to go to [redacted]. I think you would gain a lot more knowledge from that website and you might learn about the truth that way you would not be so stupid and ignorant you stupid cunts.

Apparently that extra five percent doesn't help prevent run-on sentences. You would also think that those extra brain power percentage points would stop a dude from sending harassing emails from his school email address. Because then we wouldn't know that our charming admirer is the public relations officer (yes, public relations) of the Southern Illinois University College Republicans, Alex Kochno. I think I'll stick with my stupid cunt lady brain, thanks very much.

If you are feeling particularly snarky, do go read the comments.

Salon has two really good commentaries on the Obama v. Clinton campaign drama. The first, is an essay about the subtle and not so subtle sexism and misogyny among male supporters of Obama toward Clinton.

This article captures a lot of what I've been feeling about this campaign. I'm leaning toward Obama, even though, as a woman, I'd really like to be able to vote for Clinton - but - I just don't like her. I'm not sure I'm as in love with Obama as his more exuberant supporters either, but I find I have a visceral dislike of Hillary, that smacks to me of my own brand of subtle sexism. Hillary is exactly the kind of woman who benefited from first wave feminism - "...the [feminist] movement of which Clinton has become emblematic -– not because it was her bailiwick, but because she has been exactly the kind of woman that feminism made room for: ambitious, ball-busting, high-earning, untrained in the finer arts of hair care, and unwilling to play dumber (or nicer) than she is. We don't expect Obama to play nice or dumb, do we? So, why do I so dislike those same qualities in Hillary? I mean...there are other things I object to in terms of her politics, her stance on Iraq being just one of them, but my stronger reaction is that I just don't like HER. (Of course, I REALLY don't like McCain either, and he's a guy...) The article is VERY interesting, saying how easy it is, because of Clinton's politics, to obscure sexism and misogyny as a dislike of her policies, yet what many men are saying is "She's a bitch." And then trying to back track that as a non-sexist remark, somehow related to her politics, when really, it's talking about how they perceive her in a leadership role as a woman.

Not everyone feels that the chauvinism aimed at Clinton is subtle. Thirty-three-year-old actress Molly Ward said, "There is a frustration I feel professionally about how women who are ambitious are perceived as ruthless. We've made rules, we've set standards, we've put Virginia Woolf on the curriculum, and done things to make women feel it's OK to go after your dreams. But there is still this basic problem with women being criticized for ambition."

Also interesting is the idea of "post-feminism" - and how younger women (under 30...DAMMIT..I don't count anymore!) feel torn between voting for a woman in principal, as old guard feminists like Steinhem and Morgan have been hollering for them to do, and wanting to be able to choose the best candidate. But many young women, feeling gender shouldn't be an issue, are perceiving this "something" in the strong reactions against Hillary. A little long, but a really interesting read.

The second Salon article is another about the Obama v. Clinton campaigns, and it looks at how race issues and voting patterns may impact the ultimate outcome of the primaries:The rubes and the elites. It starts off with a discussion of Obama's recent gaff in denigrating small town working class whites, as bitter, in a closed meeting with a wealthy audience in San Francisco.

I found this article to be VERY interesting and I learned some things about voting patterns in this country, and why democrats are losing votes by continuing to alienate small town Americans by portraying them as "Rubes. Rednecks. Low-information voters. Beer-track voters. NASCAR man. Bubba. Retro America." Apparently, Obama believes low information voters are either too stupid, or too apathetic to vote for what really matters, and they allow their "bitterness" to sway their votes toward things that give them comfort and pleasure in their daily lives (guns, churches, and/or anti-trade antiip immigrant issue).

But in the fine analysis, it appears that the only democratic candidates who have been successful since JFK, are those who find a way to get white, southern, small town Americans to buy in to their candidacies, by appealing to the things that really matter to them: healthcare and the economy.

It has been suggested that race will be the deciding factor - that whites who will vote against Obama because he is a black man will kill his chances at a successful run - but it really may be more an issue of economics and perceived elitism on the part of candidates like Obama.

Ok..now that I've depressed you with those two articles, treat yourself to something really fun and silly over at The Wild Pomegranate about one woman's experience with bad kissers, and what makes a good one. (Hat Tip to Donald on this one)

LJ threw herself a great birthday bash on Saturday night with some lady friends. You can read all about it over at Wild and Precious.

Instead of cake, I'm going to give LJ my favorite pic of Christian Bale, cuz, um, I can. Hee hee!

Anglican Segregated Separatists Have Always Tattletaled Severely? Check out the initials.

He has already suggested some excellent titles. My favorite from among his thoughts was Afro-Catholic, with a lovely accompanying image.

Hither thee all there and help that poor doggie out!

Woooooooo Hooooooo!

Thanks for your extra prayers for L. and pop over to wish her congrats.

He was her delight, and she has a very moving post up at her place.

Drop in and give her some prayers and comfort. She's heartbroken.

Also note that he placed me next to Tobias+ - This also earns him heavenward points in my book. Far more erudite and high brow than the priest on the other end, dontcha think?

We lift up our hearts to the Lord, but where are we lifting them too? The ground of all being? The love that is all? To God in the Sky?

Great essay! Go check it out!

I'm going to move on from moving out for a minute or two to talk about something that is of vital importance to Finance For Youth.

I was going through my blogroll today, as usual, when I stumbled on THIS STORY over at WISE BREAD. The gist of the story is about a bagger at a grocery store who has Down's Syndrome. This bagger adds a personal touch to his every day work that resonates well with his customers and everybody that hears this story. I'm deliberately being sparse with details because I want you to read about it for yourself. Suffice it to say that this is a very powerfully moving story. There is even a video about it HERE, (head's up, they will ask you to subscribe to their newsletter or buy their videos. I'm not saying not to, but I thought you should be aware).

I'm not sure if this is a true story or not. If it isn't a true story, every one of us should be ashamed of ourselves. I want to believe that this kid cares so much about his job that he made it personal. I'd like to believe that we would all do that. If the story is true, I'd like to meet the bagger, just so I can shake his hand and thank him for teaching so many important lessons. If anybody can confirm this story, or the identity, please let me know.

For the rest of us, we need to watch this movie, read this story, and become this bagger at whatever it is we do. We need to, as he did, as I hope we all do, DO GOOD!

Right now, there are three categories:  Stuff I'm reading, F4Y picks, and Finance For Youth Family.  The last one is pretty self-explanatory, it is comprised of F4Y sites, and sites from family members or very close friends.  The second one is comprised of sites that really uphold, on a consistent basis, the ideals of F4Y, Qualities of Success, and my personal belief system.  Right now, there aren't any blogs there.  The first category is everything else I read daily.

Some of the blogs on my blogroll contain information or content that I don't believe or agree with.  That's okay, this is still a free country, and they each have something on there that I enjoy.  My inclusion of a blog into my blogroll isn't an endorsement.  Thik of this site as my living room, and my blogroll is a stack of magazines I have on my coffee table.

The only thing I won't put on are sites that are patently offensive, or sites that are not appropriate for my intended audience. 

If you have an interesting blog, or if you know of one, drop me a link to check it out!  Who knows, I might really enjoy it and it will end up on the new blogroll.

WarriorMare has had a hell of a year, and, despite much upheaval has found herself in a joyous place: a new fiance, on the verge of buying a new home, and list of trials and tribulations over the past year that she has left in the dust as she moves forward.

Go check out her new digs! The place looks great!

Dan, over at Culture Choc has up fa good decontruction of a medical myth in the making as it related to the spread of MRSA in the gay male community. He's says: BULLSHIT. I say: AMEN!

Meanwhile, That Evil Lesbian Priestess (TELP) Elizabeth+ has a VERY controversial and interesting conversation about the room for polyandry in the Christian tradition and how monogamy is likely a social construct whose main aim is to support patriarchy.

And, if you'd like to take on class issues and church, head on over to Nina's Dancing Through Doorways, where she has a couple of great ones up.

And just to through in a gender issue, Missy is exploring the Roman Catholic Churches teachings on women's ordination and asking, Why? Where does it say? How can it not be an issue of social justice?

Enjoy some heavy Friday blog reading.

Sophia Compline.

I love Morning Prayer and Compline. Since I've joined TEC I have tried very hard to keep as my rule daily morning prayer and Compline, and I have gotten much solace from both, especially coupled with my EfM studies.

More recently, I have begun to really contemplate Sophia - wisdom - particularly as she is portrayed as the feminine aspect of God - the Holy Spirit. These are wonderful if you are looking for more woman centered prayers - Thanks Mother Laura! Thanks for pointing this stuff out Ann+!

HUZZAH!

One even has a rendition of Banana Fana Bo Bana on it! LMAO! GO! Now! Just Go!

If you haven't sent anything yet..you still can!

Go here to donate using PayPal (quickest and easiest!) or snail mail your checks/cheques to:

In the U.K. cheques (made payable to "St. Francis Church") should be sent to:

CITY OF GOD APPEAL,
St. Francis House
18 Cotswold Gardens
High Heaton
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE7 7AE

Please write "City Of God Appeal" on the reverse of the cheque.

In the United States, cheques (made payable to "The Episcopal Church of St. Paul") should be sent to:

CITY OF GOD APPEAL
c/o The Reverend Elizabeth Kaeton
The Episcopal Church of St. Paul
200 Main Street
Chatham, NJ 07928

Please write "City Of God Appeal" on the front of the check.

If you don't have money to give, lend this effort your prayers. If you've given already, BRAVO!

The City of God needs us. Christ the King needs us.

MadPriest and Elizabeth+ have set up a venture to get much needed funds to the people of Cidade de Deus. Here's the appeal:

Many of you will know LUIZ COELHO, our friend, the young seminarian from Rio De Janeiro. During this past year he worked on placement at CHRIST THE KING ANGLICAN CHURCH in the Cidade de Deus, one of the most impoverished and dangerous neighbourhoods in the world. The following is an English translation of what this church considers its mission to be in this challenging environment:

We intend to be a place where all are welcome to be free, especially in the Cidade de Deus (City of God) neighborhood, where poverty, violence and hunger are so well-known. And in order to live this Gospel of liberation and reconciliation of the entire world through Christ Jesus, we also seek to integrate the Church with society, through several social projects. Our mission is bold: to say that Christ is the King is to say that love has the last word in the midst of this world of calamities. However, we are sure that, with Him, we are victorious.

I decided some while back that I would like to use this blog to give myself and others the opportunity to show that the blogosphere is as much a part of the real world as anything else and I came to the conclusion that a Christmas appeal would be a good way of doing this. I like to make my charitable giving as specific, as useful and as relevant as possible. Because of our connection to Christ The King and because we can get money directly to them with no administration costs, other than the cost of transferring the money, they seemed like a very suitable project for us to support.

So I got together with ELIZABETH KAETON and we have sorted out a very safe and transparent way of organising this. Laura, the financial guru at Elizabeth's church, THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF SAINT PAUL, has set up a PayPal account specifically for this venture and we can also accept cheques in the States and in the U.K. The costs should be limited to the 2.9% PayPal charge and the cost of sending the money to Rio.

I see this as very much a community project and I will make sure that the recipient knows this. So please feel free to advertise it on, and link through to it from, your own blogs in whatever way you want to. Make sure you cite the appeal and not MadPriest.

One last thing, and this should be obvious really: if you can't afford to give anything then don't give anything and don't write in to apologise. No apology is necessary. If you feel that you would like to make a donation then be sensible and only give what you afford to give. I am not Bob Geldof, you don't have to give me your f**king money!

So, there it all is except for me telling you how to make your donations:

In the U.K. cheques (made payable to "St. Francis Church") should be sent to:

CITY OF GOD APPEAL,
St. Francis House
18 Cotswold Gardens
High Heaton
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE7 7AE

Please write "City Of God Appeal" on the reverse of the cheque.

In the United States, cheques (made payable to "The Episcopal Church of St. Paul") should be sent to:

CITY OF GOD APPEAL
c/o The Reverend Elizabeth Kaeton
The Episcopal Church of St. Paul
200 Main Street
Chatham, NJ 07928

Please write "City Of God Appeal" on the front of the cheque.

However, the easiest and tidiest way for you to pay is by credit or debit card through PayPal. To use PayPal, go to MadPriest's here. Go! Donate! Even a little is good. (And if you can't, put up a prayer for those of us who can!)

“It’s not what your house looks like, whether you have nice cabinets, or whether the windows have been trimmed, it’s what happens inside it.”
- Jim Kloss, Whole Wheat Radio -

Jim is/was a colleague of Esther's in a venture called Whole Wheat Radio. This is a radio station that is only available by Webcast to 90 listeners at a time (20 on lo-speed, and 70 on hi-speed), which features independent artists. I'm listening now, and I'm liking it.

Esther's album, which Maddie has up over at his place here is pretty awesome as well. Very folky, which I really like. So, go give it a listen if you haven't already - either Esther or Whole Wheat Radio!